Ankle hold is a defensive skill in kabaddi used to counter leg thrusts and foot touches by raiders. It involves observing the raider's footwork, keeping the body positioned towards the raider with hands free, approaching to grip the ankle when in reach, and then either lifting the leg, pulling back, or changing the raider's direction to stop their movement. Thigh hold is another individual defensive skill that can be used by any player. It involves observing the raider and gripping their thigh when in reach, with different follow through actions like changing their direction towards the end line. Both skills require anticipation, proper body positioning and grip, and follow through movement to stop the raider.

2. Ankle Hold
Ankle hold is an individual defensive skill in kabaddi. This is a counter skill used by defensive players
against leg thrusts and foot touches by raiders during an attack or raid. When the Bonus line game was
in vogue, this skill was a must for the corner players because every raider would try to cross the Bonus
line in the corner zones. Now- a days even the second position player uses this skill for initiating a catch.
Every team uses ankle hold as a supporting skill or in combination with other skill as a tactic. When a
raider is caught by the chain holds, the other anties are advised to use ankle hold as a support. As such,
it is clear that defence is incomplete without having the technique of Ankle-hold. A team which has
mastery over Ankle-hold can plan different strategies and tactics in various situations. We shall study
ankle-hold can depth as a combination hold in tactical play in the forthcoming chapters.

3. Mechanism of Ankle Hold
I. Observation and Anticipation
Before going in for Ankle hold, defender should observe the raider’s foot work and main
attacking zones. After analysing the path of the raider, anti should anticipate the next move in the
raiding footwork.
II. Body Position
Keep the body position slightly inclined towards the raider by keeping more body weight on the
leading leg and flex the knees for better reach. Stance should be little wide for maintaining more
stability. Hands should be free without any formation of chain. Neck should be held up to watch the
moves of the raider
III. Approach
once the raider’s attacking leg is within the reach of the anti, anti should hend his upper body
towards the raider’s leg completely by flexing his leading leg about 120 and by changing the center of
gravity toward leading leg, at the same time bringing both hands towards the Raider’s ankle.
IV. Hold/Grip
inner hand should be placed on the joint of the ankle to get a grip on the foot and the other. Once
grip is taken anti should not try to change the grip.
V. Follow-through action
There are different types of follow through actions suggested according to the need and
situation:-
(a) lifting up: situations
(1) When the raider is not heavy compared to defender’s body weight.
(2) When the raider is short in height.
(3) When the catch is taken away from the center line.
(4) When the defence is playing with less players.

4. One the raider is caught, it is difficult to maintain the same position by the
defender because the raider’s force is towards the mid line. To maintain stability
and grip anti should life the raider’s up towards inner shoulder. By lifting the
raider’s leg, anti causes the raider to loss balance and easily stop his movement.
(b) Pulling back : Situations
(1) When the raider is tall.
(2) Hold is taken nearer the center line.
(3) Supports are late
(4) Less players in defence.
After taking firm grip, anti should pull the raider towards the end line Pulling is
easier if the other supports are helping the initiator. Pull should be towards inner
shoulder and one or two steps towards end line can also be taken.

5. (c) Changing direction of the raider : Situations
(1) When the raider is heavy and tall
(2) When the hold is nearer the center line.
(3) When the supports are close and ready.
This is the latest method used by the defender to stop the raider by changing his
direction towards the side lines. Once the raider is caught at his ankle, anti will
bring his leading leg back to the rear and take small steps towards the end line.
Raider should not be allowed to flex his leg and before the raider starts moving
towards the center line anti should prevent him by putting his body weight on
the raider. This will make the raider move with the anti.
Drill for Ankle hold
1. Players will be asked to do the drill by counts. Count No-1. approach 2.
holding the ankle 3. Lifting the leg up (Slow movements for the beginners to
check their mistakes)
2. Counts will be reduced once the players are adjusted to the first slow drill.
Example only two or one count drill can be given.

6. 3. Player will be asked to hold the partner’s ankle try to step the partner from
escape.
4. Each player will hold ankle of two players with both his hands and try to
maintain the grip.
5. Each player will hold both ankle of the player in front and moves forward to
reach the cone as shown in the figure 10-3.5 and returns back to his position. Two
teams can be made to do this drill in a competitive manner.

7. 6. Raider will be asked to take five leg touches on the targets while anti tries to hold his ankle and
stop him from escape. Number of successes and failures are counted. By changing partners this
drill can be made as a competitive drill.
7. A player will try to hold the moving object from hanger designed specifically for ankle hold to
improve the catching accuracy.
8. One player will knee down with the support of hands on the ground while the other player will
go for ankle hold as per the signal of the coach. For example, if coach says ‘left’ he should hold the
left leg and if he says right, he should go for right leg ankle .

8. 9. One player will hold the ankle of a raider and will try to stop him from escape. The raider will
pull the anti with 3 players to develop the resistance ability of the antis.
10. Raiders stand in a line. Two objects one placed at * an shown in the figure 10-3.10 to execute
toe- touch. Anti is positioned near the objects to take ankle hold. The chain behind should be
ready to support the hold.
Thigh Hold
Thigh hold is an individual skill which can be applied by any defence player.
This skill is a major advantage for defence player, since the playing system or the
position of the anti is immaterial for applying it. Every team uses the thigh hold
technique as a planned and surprise tactic. With this skill, most raiders are
caught not only by corners and covers, but also by supporting players. This is the
reason why this skill has become very popular in the Bonus line and end line
games.

9. Advantages
a) Chances of counter action are less
b) Even a heavy raider can be caught
c) It is easy to apply even when the players are less
d) It can be used in various forms
e) No chance to escape by creating gap.
f) Grip is firm and less risk is involved
g) Requires less support.

10. Types of Thigh Hold
Thigh hold on same stance
(without changing
position)
Hold with
Forward skip
Taking step
and hold
Hold from
behind
Corners/Covers Corners/Covers
Situations When to Apply Thigh Hold
1) When the raider attacks from one zone to the other.
2) When the raider plays only on leading leg.
3) When the raider turns back and uses hand touch.
4) When raider plays from 2nd to 2nd.
5) When raider runs blindly towards corner zones.
6) Raider who is good at footwork.
CornersCorners/supports

11. To hold the thigh, anti should observe the moves and attacks of the raider.
When the raider’s leg is in reach of an anti during attack, the anti should bend his
upper body to be in line with the raider’s hip joint in order to check the raider’s
speed. To maintain balance, the anti should try to keep his leading leg in between
the raider’s stance.
Reaching the lower limbs of the raider, he should encircle the thigh with his
free hand. To have a better grip, it is suggested that the grip is made with the
elbow, since this is more firm when compared to a grip made with palms or wrist.
Inner hand should be placed below the knee joint to give a batter support, to turn
the raider’s direction easily. For better follow through action, the raider’s direction
should be changed be changed towards the help of the elbow joint while twisting
the ankle towards the end line.

12. Thigh Hold on Same Stance
Thigh hold is taken without changing the position of the anti. This type of hold is
a applied when the attack is fast. If the raider checks his movements while attacking,
anti should not go for this type of hold. This skill should also be avoided on heavy raiders
because it is difficult to check the speed of the raider in the same position. Chances of
losing balance are more. As such, the anti should take a wider stance while holding the
raider. This type of thigh hold is used mostly by corners and covers.
Thigh Hold by Taking a Skip
A skipping movement is advocated in this type of hold to cover the distance and
for better reach, when the raider is slow or checks his speed. Optimum skip useful for
corners/covers.
Taking one Step Forward and Hold
Taking one step forward means holding the raider’s thigh on wrong step/rear leg. This is
usually used by second players or center players. Sometimes corners also use this skill as a
surprise attack on the raider. Even good raiders are trapped with this skill due, to the unexpected
change made on them by seemingly passive players. Anti raider should be careful in taking one
step forward because the movement is toward the center line. If the hold is not proper or the
stance is not maintained, chances for escape are more and the defence is likely to loose more
points due to the supports.
In kabaddi, a raider generally focuses attention on the corners and covers since they are
treated as main defender. Second/In players are treated as passive players and supports. As such
the raider does not expect an attack by these players. Since this skill is executed by the
seconds/In players, it gives the required results due to the surprise element.

13. Thigh Hold from Behind
Execution of thigh hold from behind is entirely different from other holds. This
skill cannot be applied by all payers. Only corners are advised to go in for this skill.
The skill is applicable only when:
a) The raider drags his feet back for executing any skill
b) When the raider comes back to his position to restart his attack during the course
of raid.
c) When raider skips back or changes his direction towards corners to attack.
d) When the raider takes a sideward running movement from center zone to corner
zone.
To execute this skill, anti should cover the raider’s outer shoulder from behind with a
wider chain. This will tempt the raider to return to corner zone to attack again. To hold
anti should apply the skill from behind only. It is a the opposite direction.

14. Knee Hold
Knee hold is similar to thigh hold. Most of the situations in which knee holds are applicable are the same
as in thigh hold. Knee hold is a tactic generally used by 2nd supporting player. The main difference between
knee hold and thigh hold is in the grip. This is a hold where the raider is caught by the anti at the wrist or
elbow. However, the elbow grip is considered to be better because is more firm. Types of knee hold & thigh
holds are the same. But unlike thigh hold, knee hold is more commonly used as a combination hold.

15. Major Differences Between Thigh Hold and Knee Hold
1. Elbow grip is best.
2. Distance between raider and
anti should be less.
3. Grip is very firm.
4. Individual catch is possible
with less support.
5. Easy to change the direction
of the raider.
5. Difficult to change the
direction of the raider.
Thigh Hold Knee Hold
1. Both elbow and wrist grips
may be used.
2. Even when the raider is a
little away, hold is possible.
3. Comparatively less in
firmness
4. Supports a must.
6. Anties in in any position can
apply this skill.
7. Used as an initiating skill.
6. Anties in 2nd/supporting
position can apply this
skill.
7. Used more as a
combination skill.